Because of Coronavirus it has become more clear that businesses need to have the knowledge and understanding that they need to be able to support their employees with a bereavement.

Yes, you can give them time away from their work duties, but you also go further than that. Whether it’s providing them with the contact details for a suicide cleanup service, offering them counselling, or just keeping in touch loosely, it will all help them to understand they are supported. 

Let’s have a look in more detail below: 

Why Should You Be Supportive? 

You firstly need to consider that every person is different, therefore, the way they deal with death is likely to be different. However, being supportive can help them to:

• Feel valued
• Be less stressed or anxious
• Feel as though they can return to work sooner
• Feel as though they have a good working relationship
• Be productive 

What Should You Do When They Inform You? 

You should always offer your condolences and assure them that they do not need to attend work if they don’t feel as though they are ready, work should be second.

You should, however, ask them how they would like to keep in touch. Some people prefer to stay in touch via email instead of having to talk. If it’s appropriate ask them if they have any work outstanding that needs to be looked at. You should bear in mind that some people may have someone call in on behalf of them, so just email them to follow up in a few days. 

How Should You Stay In Touch? 

In the first few days, it is essential for you to communicate with your employee, when you do reach out and communicate it’s best to ask: 

• How they are 
• How they would prefer to stay in touch and how often
• If they’d like you to inform the rest of the staff or anyone in particular
• If they would prefer not to be contacted by work colleagues
• If they need any support or information form you
• If appropriate, if they have thought about returning to work
• Make sure you are never too forceful and try to understand the severity of the situation. 

What To Do If They Need Time Off

The first thing you need ot do is look over your workplace’s bereavement policy, this will enable yout to see how much leave your workplace can provide.

You may find that it is different amounts depending on the relation of the passed. It’s also a good idea to make sure that all employees have this information, and know where it is. This way if a question is asked you can point them in the right direction. 

When They Return To Work

In the first few days the return to work isn’t appropriate to talk about, but keeping in touch means you can ask this question later. Talk about: 

• How they are coping 
• When they may return 
• The bereavement policy that is in place
• Any adjustments they may need
• If they need a phased return to work
• If they need a change in duties temporarily
• If they know any time off they need for a funeral

How quickly and how you handle someone who is going through bereavement is going to be different for each person. Keeping in touch and showing your support will help them and that’s the most important thing in this situation. 

• DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source